Raisin Cake Recipes | Boiled Raisin Cake, Orange Raisin Walnut & More

Raisin Cake Recipes

These vintage raisin cakes range from an old-fashioned boiled raisin spice cake to an orange-soaked casserole cake, a coffee-and-molasses raisin tube cake, and even a nostalgic tomato soup raisin cake. Each one is straight from a classic community-cookbook tradition.

Use the jump links to pick a style, then scroll for ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Most of these cakes store well covered at room temperature—perfect for make-ahead baking.

Recipes on this page

✨ Jump directly to a classic recipe:

🍇 Boiled Raisin Cake

Old-fashioned boiled raisin spice cake made with raisins simmered in water, then baked into a simple spiced batter.

⏱️ Bake Time: 40–45 mins 🍳 Pan: Baking Pan 👥 Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups raisins
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup liquid shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking pan.
  2. Boil raisins in water until 1 cup of water remains. Cool.
  3. Add the remaining 1 cup raisin water to shortening. Add sugar and mix.
  4. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves; add to shortening mixture.
  5. Stir in raisins last.
  6. Bake 40–45 minutes. Serves 8.

🍊 Raisin Nuts Casserole Cake

Tender raisin-and-nut cake baked in a casserole or tube pan, finished with an orange juice soak poured over the hot cake.

⏱️ Bake Time: 1 to 1 1/2 Hours 🍳 Pan: Tube pan (or casserole) 👥 Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup sugar (for orange mixture)
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups sifted flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup sour milk
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 cup raisins or chopped dates

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a casserole dish or a small tube pan.
  2. Mix orange juice with 1/2 cup sugar; set aside.
  3. Cream 1 cup sugar with shortening; add eggs and beat well.
  4. Add flour (sifted with salt and baking soda) alternately with sour milk.
  5. Stir in nuts and raisins (or chopped dates).
  6. Bake until done: about 1 hour in a tube pan or about 1 1/2 hours in a casserole.
  7. While hot, poke cake several times and pour orange mixture over it. Leave in pan until cold. Serves 8.

☕ Raisin Cake

Classic spiced raisin cake with molasses and coffee, baked in a large tube pan.

⏱️ Bake Time: 1 1/2 Hours 🍳 Pan: Large Tube Pan 👥 Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb raisins
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup coffee
  • 4 cups flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Optional: 1/2 to 1 cup nuts

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 325°F

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a large tube pan.
  2. Bring raisins and hot water to a boil; simmer 15 minutes. Cool completely (or let stand overnight).
  3. Add molasses, shortening, sugar, salt, spices, and coffee; mix.
  4. Add flour sifted with baking soda; mix well. Stir in nuts if desired.
  5. Bake about 1 1/2 hours. Cool. Serves 8.

🪵 Orange Raisin Walnut Cake

Orange juice–based raisin cake with walnuts, finished with a drizzle of orange juice and a cinnamon-sugar nut topping.

⏱️ Bake Time: 40–45 mins 🍳 Pan: Baking Pan 👥 Servings: 8

Ingredients

Cake Batter:

  • 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate (about 3/4 cup) (not diluted)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Topping:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped nuts

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a baking pan.
  2. Combine 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate with remaining cake ingredients.
  3. Blend at lowest speed for 30 seconds, then beat 3 minutes at medium speed.
  4. Pour into pan and bake 40–45 minutes.
  5. Drizzle remaining orange juice concentrate over warm cake.
  6. Mix topping sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts; sprinkle over cake.

🥫 Raisin Tomato Soup Cake

Vintage tomato soup cake with raisins and warm spices, baked in a 9×9 dish.

⏱️ Bake Time: 30–35 mins 🍳 Pan: 9×9×2-inch Baking Dish 👥 Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 can tomato soup
  • 1 1/2 cups raisins
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Baking Instructions

🌡️ Oven Temp: 350°F

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9×2-inch baking dish.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar; add egg.
  3. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
  4. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix.
  5. Stir in tomato soup and raisins; mix well.
  6. Bake 30–35 minutes. Serves 8.

Raisin Cakes FAQ

Which raisin cake is the most old-fashioned “spice cake” style?

Boiled Raisin Cake and the classic Raisin Cake (with coffee and spices) are the most traditional spice-cake styles.

Do any of these cakes need to be refrigerated?

Most can be stored covered at room temperature. Refrigerate only if you add a cream cheese frosting or other dairy-based topping.

What does tomato soup do in tomato soup cake?

Tomato soup adds moisture and a subtle tang that boosts the warm spices without tasting strongly like tomato.

Can I substitute dates for raisins?

Yes—some recipes on this page already allow raisins or chopped dates, and dates work well in similar spice cakes.

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